In a coordinated move this month, conservative lawmakers and the U.S. Department of Justice advanced two related policy efforts that could reshape access to gender-affirming care for both minors and adults.
On September 18, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), joined by colleagues Eric Schmitt, Tim Sheehy, and Rick Scott, introduced the Chloe Cole Act, which would ban most chemical and surgical transition procedures for minors. The bill also gives a private right of action to “detransitioners” who claim they were harmed by medical treatment. At the same time, the DOJ voiced support for a companion measure that would extend the statute of limitations for detransitioner lawsuits, in some cases by up to 25 years.
A Story Few Mainstream Outlets Are Covering
Coverage of these bills has appeared almost exclusively in conservative media outlets. Major mainstream publications have so far given little attention to the legislation or its potential impact on transgender people and their families. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, that silence is troubling.
The Chloe Cole Act is described by its sponsors as a measure to “protect children from irreversible procedures.” Critics argue that this framing ignores the medical consensus that gender-affirming care, when conducted under professional guidelines, is both evidence-based and necessary for the mental health and well-being of many transgender youth. Major medical associations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association, support such care when provided with proper oversight.
Wider Implications Beyond Minors
The DOJ’s support for expanded statutes of limitation in detransitioner lawsuits raises new concerns. Experts warn it could create an environment of legal fear among providers, discouraging them from offering gender-affirming treatment even to consenting adults. Detransition regret is rare, but the legislation centers those experiences while disregarding the overwhelming data showing positive outcomes for transgender patients who receive appropriate care.
Because the Chloe Cole Act defines “sex” strictly as a biological binary and prohibits treatments based on gender identity, advocates fear its reach could extend beyond minors. Once those definitions are adopted at the federal level, it could open the door to challenges against adult care, insurance coverage, or hospital policies.
Families and Patients in the Crossfire
For transgender individuals, their families, and their medical providers, these bills represent more than a political debate. They threaten bodily autonomy, mental health, and trust in the medical system. Families already facing stigma and insurance barriers could find themselves navigating new legal and emotional risks simply for supporting their children’s health care needs.
Doctors and clinics may pull back services, not because of medical disagreement but out of fear of lawsuits or prosecution. Transgender adults could see ripple effects in access to care, especially in states with limited legal protections.
The Need for Broader Coverage and Dialogue
While conservative outlets amplify the bills as protecting children, few mainstream networks are analyzing their far-reaching implications. That absence of coverage leaves the public without context and allows harmful narratives to dominate.
If enacted, the Chloe Cole Act and its companion proposals would not only limit care for youth but could also undermine transgender health care across the country. These developments deserve national attention and informed discussion, not silence.
